AUSTIN, Texas — An Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complaint is sparking change in the way some people are able to take a teacher certification test in Texas.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires certain teachers to take the Science of Teaching Reading certification exam.
Someone who has dyslexia and dysgraphia made an ADA complaint after the person said the TEA denied them an oral administration of the test. The ADA prohibits public entities from administering licensing programs in a way that discriminates against people with disabilities.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Justice Department announced it settled with the TEA.
Going forward, the TEA will allow a qualified reader or text-to-speech technology to be used for people with dyslexia who need to take the Science of Teaching Reading exam.
The TEA will provide the requested modifications to the person who made the complaint.
“Preparing for professional certification examinations is a stressful time for anyone, let alone people with disabilities who may also worry that their requests for alternative testing arrangements may be rejected,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “People with dyslexia should not be denied the testing accommodations they deserve. The ADA requires such modifications to ensure that people with disabilities are not being graded on their disabilities, and unfairly denied access to their chosen professions.”